A group of Albuquerque women who say they are fighting for victims of domestic and sexual violence are calling upon Congressman Steve Pearce to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

The women held a press conference Tuesday at state Republican Party headquarters.

The Violence Against Women Act was first passed more than 30 years ago to help fund programs that aid abused women. Reauthorizing the measure would have meant new protections for Native American women as well.

The reauthorization has raised objections from some Republicans.

Tuesday afternoon, Pearce's office issued this written statement from the Congressman:

“I voted for the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization when it passed the House over seven months ago.

It’s unacceptable that Senate leadership chose to play politics with women’s lives and safety for that entire time, rather than reauthorize this important law.

I’ve been meeting with New Mexico constituents on this issue, and they feel as I do, that this law is important and needs reauthorization.